BREAKING: Drama As Oshiomhole Apologises To Senators Over ‘Looting Comment’
During the Senate plenary session on Tuesday morning, there was a mild drama as Federal Lawmaker Solomon Adeola accused his colleague, Adams Oshiomhole, of making live television allegations that Senators in the 9th National Assembly looted their offices by carting away office furniture and equipment.
Adeola asserted that Oshiomhole breached the privilege of his office and demanded a public apology to the 10th Senate. He clarified that the procedure at the end of every Assembly requires lawmakers to sign for every item in their offices before they are taken out, and he maintained that no Senator looted their offices in the 9th Assembly.
He questioned Oshiomhole’s basis for making these allegations on live television without confirmation.
The Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, attempted to intervene, suggesting that the matter be discussed behind closed doors, but the majority of lawmakers opposed discussing it in an executive session.
The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, intervened to ease the tension in the chamber, explaining that all items in Senators’ offices depreciate by 25 percent, and the tradition every four years is to give lawmakers the right to offer to purchase those items. If accepted, the lawmaker can either pay outright for the items or the funds are deducted from their severance gratuity.
Oshiomhole was then given the opportunity to speak and stated that he respects the National Assembly.
He clarified that while he appeared on a respected national television station, he defended the collective integrity of the Senate. He emphasized that he did not say Senators looted their offices, but rather that the offices were vandalized, prompting Senators to provide the basic needs of their offices by purchasing some furniture.
He concluded by tendering an apology to his colleagues who felt offended by his comments